Red Bulls Defender Connor Lade Earns First U.S. Men's National Team Call Up

HARRISON, NJ (Jan. 6, 2012) – New York Red Bulls defender and Red Bulls Academy product Connor Lade was called up to the U.S. Men’s National Team by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann today.

The 25-man squad will report to the National Training Center in Carson, CA on Monday to train in preparation for the Americans’ international friendly against Canada at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, TX on Jan. 29 at 9:00 PM ET (TV: ESPN2, WatchESPN).

"I kind of had to pinch myself picking up that call, because (Klinsmann) is such a legend and he’s done great things for the national team and he's taking them in the right direction,” Lade said. “It’s just very exciting and I’m really looking forward to getting in camp and hopefully showing well for myself and the club and just try to make an impact on them for the future."

Earning his first senior team call up, Lade is coming off his first professional season, playing in 26 games (22 starts) and notching three assists as a midfielder and defender. The 23-year-old was signed by New York as a Home Grown Player on Dec. 5, 2011. The Morristown, NJ native also started the team’s two playoff games last year.

Prior to joining the Red Bulls, Lade played for four years at St. John’s University, amassing 81 appearances during his collegiate career. Lade was a member of the Red Bulls Academy, joining the program in Dec. 2007. If Lade earns a U.S. National Team cap, he will be the second Red Bulls Academy player to do so. Forward Juan Agudelo was the first on Nov. 17, 2010 against South Africa.